Megawati and history

Megawati and history

The first-ever direct presidential election took place on Monday. The quick count jointly conducted by Metro TV and the Institute of Research, Education and Information of Social and Economic Affairs (LP3ES) shows that Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has won the election. The official count by the General Elections Commission (KPU) has yet to be completed.

Susilo, popularly known by his initials as SBY, has received congratulations from friends and relatives.

We could say that the coming days belong to SBY. The question now is does Megawati Soekarnoputri still have "anything" left after the poll?

We just want to remind the people to place Megawati properly within the historical context. Megawati's defeat must be put in historical perspective as the direct presidential election is Megawati's masterpiece. Megawati took the initiative to promote the concept of a direct presidential election with the risk that she could be ousted and she took that risk.

Now that she has become the first victim of her decision, Megawati should not shed tears. She must spread her smile as she has brought to the nation a monumental victory in the civilization of democracy. Her courage to make the decision in the interests of the nation, risking her self esteem is indeed the courage of a statesman. Megawati, thus, deserves this attribute.

Megawati's defeat in the presidential election must not be written as the fate of a loser. Megawati is the winner for all.

-- Media Indonesia, Jakarta